endeavour to point out that it was due to him, and him
alone, the jewellery had reappeared, Sinkum Fung next fell
into raptures over his own deeds. Had he but known that missee
wanted the black-fellow too, he would have given his greatest
treasure--his fine long pig-tail--to have detained him. He made
the statement with a great air of devotion--a Chinaman does not
part lightly with his pig-tail.

But no amount of assurances would prevail on Mrs. Orban to give the
man more than the promised regard. Any further claim he might have
to make, she said, must be made to Mr. Orban on his return. Sinkum
Fung went away in a transparently aggrieved frame of mind.

"Mother," Eustace said, as soon as the man's footsteps died away
round the veranda, "did you believe his story about the
black-fellow?"

"At first, yes," Mrs. Orban admitted. "I dare say such a thing is
quite possible. I pictured the black-fellow bringing in a wallet
containing the poor traveller's kit, a worn leather belt, with
perhaps some money in it, a pipe and pouch."

"Yes, that is what I expected," said Eustace.

"Then one could have believed that Sinkum Fung might be taken in by
the tale," Mrs. Orban went on; "but never tell me he believed it
when he saw those trinkets. They are not the sort of things a
Bushman would be carrying about with him, and Sinkum knows that as
well as I do. He is no simpleton. His mistake was that he thought I
might be one, and he overreached himself in his description of the
ferocious Jaga-Jaga."

"You don't even think Sinkum was terrified into buying the things?"
Eustace asked.

Mrs. Orban shook her head and smiled.

"I very much doubt it," she said. "Indeed, I am inclined to fancy
the thief was no black-fellow at all now. It is just as likely he
was a Malay or Manila boy from the plantation, and Sinkum Fung is
in collusion with him. They will probably go shares in the reward;
but Sinkum meant to make as much more out of me for himself as he
possibly could."

"My word! if the other fellow comes again," said Eustace, "don't I
just hope we shall catch him."

"I am sure I hope and trust he will not come again," said Mrs.
Orban gravely. "We have had quite as many disturbances already as I
feel inclined for."

Mary and Kate were delighted to get back their belongings, and made
no further reference to running away. They felt more secure with
the Robertson family living in the house. Besides, a letter from
Mr. Orban stated th